ICE and BOP Deny Lawmakers Access to MDC Brooklyn Amid Reports of Inhumane Conditions
This morning, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Dan Goldman (NY-10) were denied entry to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn during an oversight visit. Joined by advocates from the ACLU, NYIC, and NYCLU, the lawmakers had planned to review the conditions under which over 100 immigrants are now being detained following a new ICE agreement with the Bureau of Prisons.
Despite their constitutional oversight authority, officials barred the Members from accessing the East Building, where immigrant detainees are being held, and barricaded them on the premises for a short period of time.
“Denying Members of Congress access to a federal detention facility is outrageous and unacceptable,” said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Espaillat. “As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I won’t tolerate this lack of transparency, especially when the lives of immigrant detainees are at stake. MDC Brooklyn has a well-documented record of abuse. ICE should not be allowed to expand its reach through backdoor deals with federal prisons. This contract must be terminated now.”
